Chapter 2:
As kits we were all kept in the same basket. Mom would come in every time we would start to cry, to feed us, change us, and just to curl up around us. We were a very needy bunch; you could say we were a bunch of basket cases. Ouch No hitting, hey, I have to put in some puns even if there bad. My story remember?
We had to learn all the normal things that kits require at this age mostly how not to cry for everything. Gestures and other noises for things we wanted. At about 4 weeks we started to walk around on all fours, at this point we were holy terrors to mom, and a female rabbit. Her name was DeDe. Mom's name I found out was Heather T. DeDe just showed up one day, very sulky and mad, but quickly warmed up to us all. At this point we were given names by our mom.
I became Daniel-J, next was Susan-K a grey and white rabbit. At this point I should explain that our birth order was the alphabet letters, Oh, I should also say that I looked like a fox. Next was Terry-L a fox, Davis-M a fox, Ava-N a burnt umber rabbit, Ricky-O a grey and white rabbit, Cindy-P a grey and white rabbit, and last but not least Suzie-Q a grey and white rabbit, not sure if Suzie was Mom's sense of humor.
Terry, Davis, Ava, and I were all siblings, first clue was our coloring. We were all a burnt umber color. With black fur running from the tip of our paws to about halfway to our elbows. We also wore black fur from tips of our toes to about halfway to our knees. It looked like we are wearing gloves and socks. I had a grey color that ran from under my chin, down my chest to my nether regions, rounded ears, (not pointy like a foxes) feet and legs that looked like DeDe's, and a black nose that I could move like a bunny. (which took me years to learn to control the twitching) Terry had cream color from under his chin down his chest to his neither region, he also had rabbit feet and legs. Of all of us Terry looked the most like a fox. Davis had the same grey under his chin and on his chest like me, but it extended down his tail all the way to the very tip which was a burnt umber on the end, rounded ears like me, and again rabbit style legs and feet. Ava was a rabbit, and had cream coloring from under her chin to her neither regions, a big fluffy rabbit tail, how big you ask? Let's just say I don't want to get murdered in my sleep. Also, she has fox style ears. She looked so cu… Adorable. (what is it with rabbits and the cute word). Susan, Ricky, Cindy, and Suzie were grey rabbits with white running from under their chins down their chests to their neither regions, big long rabbit ears, with a small black dot about ¾ of the way up and off to one side a bit. And small fluffy tails, in short, they looked exactly like DeDe.
We were all quick studies, in a mere couple of weeks we learned how to walk, and use the bathroom. WHAT? No, I'm not going to tell the bathroom incident. You wouldn't dare! Fine when it come time to write your part, the mirror comes into play. YES, it does, turn about is fair play. I was not going to tell the bathroom incident, because I still don't find it all that funny.
We were all playing a game of "pounce" when our mother opened the door of the next room, and barked for us to come over. (Did I mention she did not speak much) We all came running over, some of us quicker than most. I ran into the room and saw a big pool of water in the floor, before I could stop, I had fallen in. I panicked, and started to paddle for all I was worth. Mom fell over with yippie, barking, kind of laugh, every one else was laughing as well. DeDe came into see what all the commotion was about and burst out laughing as well. I was going to die. That was when mom stood, me up in the water and I found it was only 3 inches deep. I crawled out, sopping wet, and looked at them with murder in my eyes. Which caused everyone to burst out laughing again. After awhile I could see the humor in it, but I never joined in. (There happy it's in there).
Like I was saying we learned how to use the "toilet" properly. Mom actually showed us how to use it, by example, and the girls caught on faster than the guys. (anatomical differences), but we weren't that far behind. We learned that the sports style cup like protrusion at one end would help guys aim better. We all still had accidents, but we soon learned when we had to go, just go in the toilet.
Shortly after this we learned what bath night was about. You would think that I would be scared of baths, "toilet incident" but no, I actually took to water like a duck. I love the hot water, and bubbles, lots of bubbles. We all had fun, splashing, playing games in the water. By the end of the baths, there was usually more water on the floor than in the tub. Sometimes mom would join us putting more water in the tub, so she could submerse herself, and we would lay on top of her. The fur dryers were another mater, wasn't scared of them, just didn't like them. Still to this day, I use them, just don't like them.
Pretty soon mom didn't have enough milk to feed us all. Solid food was next for us to learn. I was hungry one day, when DeDe came in with a plate of veggies for her lunch. She placed it on her desk, I could smell it, and thought it would taste good. When she wasn't looking, I jumped up, grabbed some, and took off running. She chased me, but gave up, when I ran under the bed. Soon everyone joined me under the bed to see what I had. I learned I had celery and it tasted good. I shared the piece with everyone, so we all got a taste. We wanted more, so we moved out as group, and stood behind DeDe. She realized It had gotten really quiet, and she turned around really slow. She burst out laughing when she saw the expressions on our faces. All our ears were down, our eyes were big, and we stood there in a sloughed position. She asked if we wanted more. We all nodded yes. Still laughing, she shared the rest of her lunch with us. None of the vegetables we tried were objectionable. Let me tell you, solid food was a lot different in our bodies than just milk. Let's just say solid food is a lot harder to pass than milk. We also learned to drink the juices given us, even if we didn't like them. They tried to get us to eat meat or bugs, but none of use would touch them. Mom ate them, but that just seemed revolting to me.
One day they separated me from the rest of the kits, and put me in a clear box trying to get me to eat meat and bugs. This went on for a few days, and I was getting weaker and weaker and hungrier with each passing hour. My siblings were getting more distressed as the time went on. The bugs and meat just smelt bad to me, and I would not touch them, no mater how hungry I got. They finally relented and gave me a carrot to eat, Best darn carrot I had ever tasted. Terry and Davis got the same treatment, but the results were the same as mine. (why were the three of us singled out?) From that point on the bugs and meat were off the menu. (good Riddance).
Shortly after we were on solid food, mom disappeared.
So how did the experiment go? Badly sir, We nearly lost J. He refused to touch the protein! What about L and M? We didn't let it go as far, but the results were the same, Sir. And no one would touch protein? Oh, they touch protein, just vegetable protein.
And how is there blood work? They all appear to be getting the proper nutrients from vegetables. And how is their education going?
Good Sir, as you know they are 8 months old, and cognitive skills, and motor skills are at 18-month-old level. Body size they are average for their age. That's really impressive. Are all the subjects at this level?
Yes Sir, Even the bunnies are working at this level. Do we have a reason for this growth? No Sir, we still think its their strange DNA. Does it have anything to do with the surrogate? No Sir, She's in the clear. Any more luck on trying to decipher the DNA? No Sir, we have hit a dead end, all the test we have run have come back inconclusive. Well Dam it, invent some new test, I want to find out what it is. Will do our best Sir. Are they fully on solid food now?
Yes Sir. Then you can take the surrogate home to the city. Make sure to give her the money we promised. Are you sure? We could just get rid of her. NO KILLING, we are not monsters. We got rid of those guards. For your information they both survived due to someone's incompetence. And I Don't see a need to start killing now. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR? Yes Sir. Good, then take her home and give her the money. If I find out she is dead, you will follow her shortly after, do I make myself clear? Yes Sir. (from files found in the archive of the institute.)
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